•GOVERNOR’S COMMITTEE ON POLLINATOR PROTECTION - GROUNDBREAKING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MINNESOTA . Click here for full report. The report is the powerful culmination of two years of hard work and tough conversations by the members of the committee - a group of 15 including farmers, researchers, advocates, beekeepers and industry. The 39 recommendations goal is to protect pollinators statewide with steps to increase habitat, reduce pesticide use, and educate on pollinator conservation. One innovative recommendation is to establish a state-funded program to provide farmers with a financial incentive to plant corn and soy seed NOT treated with neonicotinoids. Another top-priority is to establish a turf conversion program to replace turf with pesticide-free flowering habitat in urban, suburban and rural non-agricultural lands. See all 39 recommendations here. This report can be used to meet with legislators for pollinator protections and support advocacy work in Minnesota.

•POLLINATOR FRIENDLY CITIES . Click here for a sample pollinator resolution. Communities around the world and in Minnesota are taking action to protect pollinators by implementing pollinator resolutions in their communities, counties and government agencies. Any citizen can start a pollinator resolution campaign in their own community. There are currently 38 cities, school districts and counties in Minnesota. Additionally, the State of Minnesota issued an Executive Order in 2016 for Pollinator Protection. The Pollinator Friendly Alliance, Humming for Bees, and Pollinate Minnesota help guide communities to implement resolutions and best practices to protect pollinators. Please contact us if you are interested in helping your community be safer for pollinators and people too. See a list of Minnesota city resolutions here: Humming for Bees.

•NEONICOTINOIDS AND SYSTEMIC INSECTICIDES. Pollinator populations continue to decline. Meanwhile, the federal government is not moving to protect pollinators. The EPA relies on pesticide company field studies to review pesticides, it's like the fox guarding the hen house. 50% honey bee losses are being reported but the U.S. continues to allow neonicotinoids, the bee-killing pesticide. Neonicotinoid systemic insecticides move throughout the entire plant, making every tissue toxic. Neonics are used ubiquitously in farming, horticulture, on public lands and home gardens. Let your legislatures know you do not want systemic insecticides like neonics in your state. Support a ban on neonics.

•MINNESOTA PLANT LABELING LAW. Click here for a shopping guidePlant nurseries can legally sell plants that contain pollinator-harming levels of neonicotinoid pesticides without labeling them as such. Plant growers who do not use neonicotinoids can not advertise as "pollinator friendly" unless they apply for a special certification and pay the associated fees. The customer who wishes to attract bees and butterflies may unknowingly be purchasing plants that will be toxic to these pollinators. 51% of plants samples at Lowe's, Home Depot, and Walmart contained harmful levels of neonicotinoids. When shopping for plants, ask your nursery whether their plants have ever been treated with systemic pesticides at any time. Buy from nurseries and stores who offer plants that have not been treated with neonicotinoids here.